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8 December 2024
Report and photos by Reinier Schreurs
Star of the 2024 Naha Air Festa was F-15J 42-8950 which had received a special color scheme for the 60th anniversary of 204 Hikotai.
Not the best weather on Japan's most southern Air Base this day. Cloudy the whole day, a cold wind and sometimes some rain but still very enjoyable. 8 Hikotai's F-2A 63-8538 had special tail markings for the 70th anniversary of the JASDF & Tsuiki Air Base. Other unusual visitors for the Open House were C-1FTB 28-1001 and EC-1 78-1021. The C-1 (all versions) is in its last operational fiscal year with the JASDF and it is expected the last C-1 will be withdrawn at the end of March 2025. Probably the reason at least one of the last operational C-1s is attending the static of many Open Houses this year. The MCH-101 was not part of the open house but flew a local mission.
| Static on flightlines: | |||
| 28-1001 | C-1FTB | Hiko Kaihatsu Jikkendan | |
| 78-1021 | EC-1 | Denshisen Shientai |
|
Probably the last time EC-1 78-1021 visited the Naha Air Show as it is to be withdrawn at the end of March 2025. |
One of many F-15Js which could be seen on this day, 204 Hikotai's 42-8830. |
| 78-1206 | C-2 | 403 Hikotai |
| 07-3604 | KC-767J | 404 Hikotai |
| 34-3459 | E-2C | Hiko Keikai Kanshigun |
| 63-8538 | F-2A | 8 Hikotai | 70th anniversary JASDF/Tsuiki tail |
| 72-8890 | F-15J | 304 Hikotai |
| 07-4499 | CH-47J/LR | Koku Kyunandan |
| 98-4609 | UH-60J II | Koku Kyunandan |
| 12-3033 | U-680A | Hiko Tenkentai |
| 52971/XVH | CH-47JA | 15 Herikoputatai |
| 43111/XVH | UH-60JA | 15 Herikoputatai |
| 74501/IBH | AH-64DJP | 1 Sento Herikoputatai |
Naha based 15 Herikoputatai has two LR-2s (Beech 350) in its fleet, so why Seibu Homen Kokutai (Western Army Aviation Group) LR-2 23056/W was used for the static is not clear. This twin operates from Kumamoto/Takayubaru and is the only LR-2 of the JGSDF with this dome.
| 23056/W | LR-2 | Seibu Homen Kokutai |
| JA06RK | B737-800 | Japan Transocean Air |
| JA202D | DHC-6-400 | First Flying |
| 5096 | P-3C | 5 Kokutai |
| Hangar display: | |||
| 22-8931 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai | |
| Hangar: | |||
| 88-4607 | UH-60J II | Koku Kyunandan | |
| Flightlines and flying: |
|
The only dual Eagle to be seen on this day, 204 Hikotai F-15DJ 62-8089. |
Another 204 Hikotai F-15J seen blasting away at the start of a demo, 82-8909. |
44-3462E-2CHiko Keikai KanshigunFlying
| 62-8089 | F-15DJ | 204 Hikotai | Flying, 4-ship |
| 42-8830 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai | Flying |
| 52-8861 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai |
| 62-8869 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai | Flying, with P-3C |
| 62-8874 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai |
| 82-8899 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai |
| 82-8905 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai | Flying |
| 82-8909 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai | Flying |
| 02-8920 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai | Flying, 4-ship |
| 22-8938 | F-15J | 304 Hikotai | Flying, 4-ship |
| 42-8945 | F-15J | 304 Hikotai |
| 42-8949 | F-15J | 304 Hikotai |
| 42-8950 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai | Flying, 60th anniversary 204 Hikotai c/s |
| 52-8953 | F-15J | 304 Hikotai | Flying, 4-ship |
| 52-8956 | F-15J | 204 Hikotai | Flying |
| 78-4604 | UH-60J II | Koku Kyunandan | SAR Demo |
|
A local SAR unit normally operates two U-125As and three UH-60Js.All three Naha Kyunantai UH-60J IIs could be seen on this day, with 78-4604 performing the SAR demo. |
Nansei Shien Hikohan (South-West HQ Support Flight) T-4 36-5707 photographed after returning from its role as leader of a pack of eight F-15s. |
| 96-5615 | T-4 | Nansei Shien Hikohan | Flying, with P-3C 5095 |
| 36-5707 | T-4 | Nansei Shien Hikohan | Flying |
| 46-5724 | T-4 | 204 Hikotai |
| 56-5733 | T-4 | 204 Hikotai |
| 62-3024 | U-125A | Koku Kyunandan | SAR Demo |
| 8659 | MCH-101 | 111 Kokutai | Flying |
| 5052 | P-3C | 5 Kokutai |
| 5080 | P-3C | 5 Kokutai |
| 5095 | P-3C | (5 Kokutai) | Flying, no unit number |
| 5101 | P-3C | 5 Kokutai |
It looks like 111 Kokutai frequently detaches an MCH-101 (Merlin) at Naha with 8659 doing the honours this month.
| Preserved: | |||
| 03-3095 | Beech 65 | ||
| 37-8321 | F-4EJ Kai |
| 76-8688 | F-104J |
| 81-5327 | T-33A |
Credits: Reinier Schreurs, Internet
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